“I think that governors who are successful obviously have a cachet that is probably helpful to them, particularly, since the Congress is held in low esteem,” McCain told National Review Online. “I think there will be some who are very competitive, including Jeb Bush if he decides to run.”

McCain said he hadn’t decided to back Bush. “I keep hearing that he may be considering a runs and he was a successful governor of the state of Florida,” he said. “I like him. I haven’t decided obviously, but I think he would be viable.”

Asked if he thought that Republicans might hesitate to nominate a freshman senator in light Obama’s performance, McCain said no.